News Release

OPM Director James Requests Insurance Carriers to Assist With Emergency Prescription Drug Availability for Federal Workers

Washington, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management opened its annual Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Carrier Conference with agency representatives reminding them that the President is using the FEHB program in his Medicare reform proposal, and charged the carrier community to do its part in keeping the FEHB a model program. In addition, the representatives thanked the carriers for their responsiveness and efforts to improve service options and lower costs. OPM further challenged them to develop creative and innovative options that help contain costs and maintain affordability, especially for prescription drugs.

Regarding prescription drug benefits, OPM Director James sent a special message to FEHB program carriers regarding federal employees, stating that "finally - and this is vitally important in the uncertain times in which we find ourselves - we need your help to make certain that our members can get additional supplies of medications as backup for emergency situations. We especially need to build in flexibility so that Reservists and National Guard members can meet their medium-term drug supply needs. I understand that you may have concerns about how to administer your prescription drug benefits so that flexibilities are in place and, at the same time, satisfy other requirements that affect the dispensing of drugs. As always, we do not intend to tell you how to meet the goals. We appreciate your sensitivity to the special needs of your federal members and appreciate your cooperation in meeting these needs."

With regard to the FEHB carrier roles in negotiating health-care premiums, an OPM official stated that "a year ago to the day, in this very room, OPM laid down a challenge," said an OPM spokesman. "We asked you to put on your thinking caps and use your imagination. We invited you to bring us your best ideas for containing cost and maintaining quality in the FEHB program. This morning, we want to begin by expressing our sincere appreciation for your response. Together - thanks to your creativity and the 'pit bulls' who make up our negotiating team - we were able to hold down the average premium increase and continue to give federal employees the health-care they need and deserve."

OPM officials reminded the attendees that "close to 85 percent of eligible federal workers choose to participate in the FEHB program, be proud that the FEHB program enjoys one of the highest levels of customer satisfaction of any health-care program in the country and to be proud that the President of the United States is using the FEHB as his model for modernizing and improving Medicare. President Bush recognizes the great strengths of our program, and so too, do many, many others."

In addition, OPM representatives invited the attendees to embrace prevention and work closely with OPM in the HealthierFeds campaign, a campaign that provides education on fitness, healthy lifestyles, care management, and prevention strategies.

"This new campaign places emphasis on educating federal employees and retirees on healthy living and best-treatment strategies," representatives said. "It is well established that physical activity, nutrition, preventive screenings and healthy lifestyle choices all reduce demand on the health-care system. We want it to be a model. We kicked it off with a health fair in January, and we will be holding monthly events to educate our workforce on how they can take greater responsibility for their personal health. However, we envision this as a collaborative effort. It is a win-in situation for everyone."

In closing, OPM representatives reminded the audience that "the President has made high quality, affordable health care for all Americans a national goal. Your challenge - and the Director's - is to keep our program a model. Be creative, think long-term and embrace prevention, and the FEHB program will continue to be."

Information on the FEHB may be found at www.opm.gov.

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OPM oversees the federal work force and provides the American public with up-to-date employment information. OPM also supports U.S. agencies with personnel services and policy leadership including staffing tools, guidance on labor-management relations and programs to improve work force performance.

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